Management

Mark Rüemmeli

Vice President for Research and Technology

Dr. Mark Rümmeli is a Chartered Scientist that combines a strong scientific research background in nanotechnology, solid state-, condensed matter- and plasma physics, with a passion for multimedia based learning and hybrid educational systems that blend traditional teaching platforms with contemporary digital media.

Born in Africa and raised in South America, Mark received his undergraduate and graduate education in London, England, after which he also spent time as a mathematics, physics and information technology lecturer within collegiate undergraduate (B.Sc.) and the newly-established bridge (BTEC) Science programs. Arming himself with skills acquired from being involved with the content development and delivery components of the newly-emergent BTEC programs of the early 90's, he accepted a job offer as the acting registrar of an offshore medical university in the Caribbean Islands (Antigua, 1998). It was while there that he first realised that some of the major impediments to providing low-cost top-grade educational content in isolated "off-shore" countries arise from a need to connect institutions-of-learning within these countries to the greater hub of rest of the academic world. He subsequently went on to use his computing and data management systems skills to develop and manage a Web-based teaching platform for the university.

Since then, he has been an active and successful educational multimedia and learning systems consultant to many Caribbean and off-shore based institutions of higher learning, specializing in helping them to expand their educational programs, and in developing and delivering web-based training programs that contain customized world-class educational content. It is evident that living in the Caribbean has had a profound impact on Mark's professional (science and education) experiences; however, for a while, it seemed that he would have been lost to another profession - as he became a member of a transatlantic sailing crew, delivering yachts between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Thankfully, after a while on the high seas, he returned back to pitting himself against science and education based challenges.

In addition to his founding role at ∏ Mark is currently a Marie Curie/DFG Fellow at The Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research, located in Dresden, Germany, and where his research interests include (i) the synthesis of unidimensional nanomaterials and nanostructures such as CNT, SiC, BN nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires; (ii) the characterization of the properties of these materials using spectroscopic techniques such as EELS, XPS, EDX, OAS, OES, MS, Raman & FTS and, (iii) R&D on the applicability of these materials to future technology. He is a "Who's Who in Science and Engineering" biographee (2006) and also the Director for International Development for M.O.R.E., a US-based non-profit organization that provides medical and educational services to low-income families across the globe.

Mark holds a first-class honours degree in physics and computing electronics, a Ph.D. in Plasma Physics and Analytical Atomic Spectroscopy, a Certificate in Data Communication Systems and is a chartered scientist. In addition to his native tongue (English) he speaks German and fluent Spanish. Some of his personal interests include hiking, sailing, snorkeling, skiing, photography, and chess.